Karnataka Agriculture

Karnataka agriculture is one of the most essential attribute of Karnataka economy. The topography of Karnataka such as the city's relief, soil, and climate immensely supports the agricultural activities in Karnataka.

Karnataka's relief, soil conditions, and climate jointly contributes in growing crops in the city. Agriculture is considered to be one of the primary occupations for the inhabitants of Karnataka. Majority of the people in Karnataka are involved in growing crops especially in the rural areas. Agriculture in Karnataka has occupied around 12.31 million hectares of land, that includes 64.6 percent of the total area. The 2001 enumeration accounts for about 71 percent employment as farmers and agricultural laborers. The main season for agriculture in Karnataka is monsoon as irrigation is done in only 26.5 percent of the total cropped area.

Agriculture in Karnataka is mainly done over 3 seasons:

Kharif (April to September)

Rabi (October to December)

Summer (January to March)

The Kharif crops in Karnataka comprise millets, paddy (rice), maize, moong (pulses), groundnut, red chillies, cotton, soyabean, sugarcane, rice, and turmeric. It is also known as the Autumn harvest as it is cropped with the beginning of the first rains in the month of July. The major Rabi crops of Karnataka are wheat, barley, mustard, sesame, and peas. It is popularly known as the spring harvest in parts of Karnataka as well as in Pakistan as it usually harvested in two months of the Islamic lunar calendar. Karnataka is one of the major producers of rice among all other states in India. Rice is the food crop harvested by Karnataka agriculture and sugarcane is the cash crop. Other cash crops sown in Karnataka agriculture apart from sugarcane are cashews, cardamom, betel (areca) nut, and grapes. The cool slopes of western ghats are well-known for coffee and tea plantations whereas the eastern regions are widely known for producing a heavy amount of sugarcanes, a bit of rubber plants, and fruits such as oranges and bananas. The north-western region of Karnataka has black soil which supports oilseeds, cotton, and peanuts (groundnuts).

Karnataka is also highly potential for its horticulture production and it ranks second in this aspect in India. Horticulture generates 40 percent of the total income of the state. Karnataka's agricultural products also includes raw silk which has the highest production range among all other states in India. Karnataka agriculture is experiencing major development plans and strategies to ensue more flexibility and advancement in harvesting crops which is adding value to Karnataka's economy to a great extent.